Halloween is in just a few short weeks so we broke out the old creepy raven along with a bunch of other spook-tastic props from last year (see our big Halloween ’09 set up here). And other than springing for some candy for the kids in our neighborhood and some candy corn for ourselves we didn’t spend a dime (hindsight: candy corn is the worst- it’s basically just a stomach ache waiting to happen). Oh and we grabbed some $4 carnations too. So here’s the console table all decked out:
Nothing too fancy, just a piece of burlap as a casual runner with things like some eerily titled books that we dug up along with some feathers from last year and my new little white ceramic frog (further explained here). And of course there’s the bird, a faux antler candlestick, and the black votive from last year’s Halloween dealy-o.
And see the photo above Mr Frog? Here’s the close up. John made us skulls in photoshop last year and we loved it so much we brought it out again this year. John’s cavernous hole-like eyes are so handsome.
And can you tell what I shoved under that glass dome?
Last year I stuffed a framed black silhouette of Burger in there, but this year I picked up some $4 white carnations and painted them black for a gloomy-ish look.
Now we just have to resist the Three Musketeers and York Peppermint Patties instead of eating them all before the 31st. Honestly, that’s probably not going to happen.
And here’s the coffee table full of faux pumpkins, round votive holders (I liked how they mimicked the shape of the pumpkins), and two vases with dried grasses for a little fall texture and height.
And see the dining table beyond our little pumpkin and candle fest?
That’s where I broke out the tummy torturing candy corn (maybe we just eat too much but it always makes us want to die about five minutes later) along with my spray painted faux gourds and Lumiere (the Beauty & The Beast-esque yellow spray painted candlestick from Goodwill).
We also added three votive cups (also from Goodwill a few weeks back) with faux candles flickering inside of them and a manzanita branch for height and more of that seasonal stick-y vibe.
I guess you could say our theme for this arrangement was bold lemon yellow (as seen in the candlestick, the two-toned metal cups, and that dastardly candy corn).
So that’s how we added some “creepy” to our living room without spending any money (except for the aforementioned edible items and those white carnations that we painted).
What are you guys doing to get your place Halloween ready? Is anyone with me on the candy corn is evil theory? Does everyone else have to buy two rounds of Halloween candy since they eat the first batch well before the 31st?
Psst- Wondering where we got our Halloween props above? Peep last year’s post for a full source rundown.
Pssssssst- Don’t forget to check out our weekly BabyCenter post, this time it’s about animal themes, from owls to rhinos and beyond.
Love the yellow! I haven’t done anything Halloween-y yet…have to get on it.
Love it! Understated, but still festive! And you had me cracking up over the “tummy torturing candy corn!” Haha… Maybe you had too much??
My decor consists mostly of child-made crafts. I think that’s what I like most about your blog. Beautiful things not made of construction paper and glitter. Not that I would trade.
I’m surprised that you would put Halloween decor in your home when it’s on the market. So… I’m thinking maybe you’ve already accepted an offer on your house. Hmm.
Where did you get your faux antler candlestick? I’ve been looking for a pair of them for ages and can’t see to find and (affordable) set…
LOVE the decorations!!!
Hey Marisa,
That’s from West Elm a while back- maybe try ebay?
xo,
s
Wow, that photo of you and John with the skulls is creepy!
Also, I’m thinking I need some manzanita branches to change up the glass hurricane on our dining room table (or maybe I can find more substantial ones in the backyard): http://hernandohouse.wordpress.com/2010/09/19/fall-foliage-update/
I’ve never been into Halloween but I love fall decor. We don’t have the Halloween candy problem bacuse we don’t ever get trick or treaters :( Our driveway is way too long.
I really like the coffee table setting not only for Halloween, but as fall decorations!
I really like the black on white for Halloween decorations, and as long as you all keep the 3 Musketeers well stocked, the kids on the block should be happy.
And candy corn is deceptive. It doesn’t feel like you’ve eaten that much because they’re so small and don’t fill you up until 1/2 hour later when your holding your tummy groaning because of said-candy corn. Candy Corn = Evil.
Always love how you two are able to decorate for the holidays in such a chic way – no chinsy decorations! Love it, and can’t wait to implement some into my own condo!
Can’t wait to see what you do next year when little hands can pull the burlap runner off the table and little hands can reach the breakables on the table. It has been a challenge this year for me with an agile, active 18 month old to be creative in my decorating but all be safe for my little one and safe for my things!
Love how the bird really stands out and grabs your eye immediately!
I haven’t done too much around the house except for our antique buffet-scape. Our buffet is my mantle since we don’t have a fireplace.
http://mikeanderinnsbungalow.blogspot.com/2010/09/lil-punkins-make-me-so-happy.html
An old friend used to mix candy corn with peanuts. Eat them together and it tastes just like a pay day candy bar. Yummy! (And a little protein to go with the pure sugar!)
We always have to do 2 batches of candy! The first one disappears…
I totally agree that it makes no sense to buy Halloween candy early. It is always eaten (mostly by me) and we have to reload on the day of Trick-or-Treat. Oh, the creepy photoshopped picture of you guys as ghouls – ooohh! The rest is great, though. I love the raven!
Do Clara and Burger have costumes already?
Hey Krista,
Oh yes- we’ll definitely share those pics!
xo,
s
Ugh, candy corn is the worst! My mom used to send me bags of it every year when I was in college, and even though I told her every year that I didn’t like candy corn, she kept sending it!! It looks good as part of your decor, though!
Your pumpkin/candle set up is Halloween-chic! And I love that yellow candelabra :)
I’m with you on the candy corn. I forget every year though, buy a bag, and eat half of it before I realize it was a big mistake.
It’s part of the Halloween tradition.
Holy shamoly…I can’t handle that skull picture and the white antler thingy. You’ve managed to creep me out, but still in a classy home decor kind of way. Way to go! ;)
Yes, candy corn is evil. BUT the white part at the top is the best! There is great debate in our family about whether there is a difference in the taste and texture of the different colors. Of course, there is a big difference. Some people just don’t realize it ; ]
Looks great! But I can’t help but say, you probably won’t be able to have all that stuff out next year with a little one roaming around :)
Love all the ‘spooky’ touches… I actually took a page out of your book and spray painted some gords for a centerpiece too :)
I have some random questions about your table runner… 1. Where is your’s from, and where do you recommend picking one up that isn’t crazy expensive (nor shiny taffeta cheap looking)? and 2. do you prefer for table runners to hang over the table edge or lay on top within the perimeter? Our table is 66″ long with a leaf, and I’m not sure what size to get….. Thanks!!!
Hey E Hayes,
The runner on our dining room table is from Target (super cheap, like $8 or something!). We like runners that go around 5″ over each side, so maybe something 74″ – 78″ long would be good for your table.
xo,
s
I always love that entry way. So bright and cheery even with the black bird. Here’s a hint. Buy only Halloween candy that you hate. I have mini bags of pretzels and blow pops ready for the big night but won’t touch them no matter how long they sit out…………………
Mix in some salted peanuts to the candy corn to cut the sweetness….it’s super tasty!
Love the decor as usual! Somewhat unrelated question for you…what is in the frame to the far right over your console table? It looks like a sketch, but I can’t quite make it out. New?
Hey JMB,
That’s actually a sketch of our house’s lot (which is a line drawing with funny descriptions on it like “house is old”). We love it!
xo,
s
That is one spooky picture! Love the candles and pumpkins. I don’t know if you’ve answered this before, but how/where do you store all these decorations that you swap out? I have candle holders galore and I bring them out depending on my mood/season/etc that I currently keep in storage bins. Just wondering if you had any cool tricks or ideas for this. Thanks
Hey Elizabeth,
We have two armoires full of large tupperware bins in our basement where we house all of our seasonal decor. So helpful!
xo,
s
I love those flowers. I just finished my foyer…
http://bontempsbeignet.blogspot.com/2010/10/fall-foyer.html
Just wondering (and kind of unrelated), but what is the book on your coffee table with the red sea coral on the cover?
Hey Rebekah,
That’s The Cabinet Of Natural Curiosities. We found it for cheap at Barnes & Noble a while back ($20 or so).
xo,
s
Candy corn IS evil in that I eat soooooooooo much of it. But it is so delicious. Almost as delicious as (say it with me)…mellowcreme pumpkins! I am such a sucker for those. And I eat a ridiculous amount. Hence the evil.
OMG that picture of your wedding is seriously disturbing!! I love the guy in the background with the guitar though haha
I agree with you on the candy corn. My hubby and I were just discussing the almost cult-ish love people have for that stuff. It’s the devil!
Love the changes! But I have a question … The dining table is your “main/only” eating spot, right? How do you EAT with all that cool stuff on there? I stopped decorating our dining table because I got tired of moving all the stuff to eat and clean the table. We usually eat breakfast/lunch on the breakfast bar so it was only ONCE a day and it annoyed me too much. We have two kids too though. I just have one extra large gourd shaped vase now because it isn’t too much of a hassle to move.
Hey Karen,
We serve our dinners buffet style in the kitchen (load up our plates and bring them into the dining area) instead of bringing pots and pans of food out into the center of the table). So as long as we have room for plates and glasses on the sides of the table we’re all set!
xo,
s
I skipped buying candy til its closer to the day (my hubby and I are terrible when candy is around). I’m not a huge candy corn fan but starbursts and anything with good chocolate and I’m a goner!
Love the decor! Beautiful with a hint of creepy. My decor consists of DYI toilet roll pumpkins found on craftgossip and a ceramic pumpkin my mom gave me.
I had to resist buying candy corn last time I was at the store. Don’t get me wrong I dig it, but like you said, I always want to die 5 minutes later! Candy corn will not be on my grocery list this month! I’ll stick with peanut m&ms and peppermint patties. Yum!
cute (or should i say spooky?) set-up, but i LOVE candy corn. my favorite part of halloween. the key is to eat it slowly – take out a small handful at a time, then put the rest of the bag away. i eat maybe 3/4 of the bag by the time halloween’s over. mmm, candy corn.
We’re that house on the block that goes totally out of control crazypants for Halloween. Spooky music, lights, fog machine, props and jack o lanterns galore…
This year’s theme is “Body Parts” I’m making a big sign slap on the roof and make the house look like an abandoned Auto body parts store, but it’s really dismembered people. Muah ha ha! “Harleysville Chop Shop: Our Parts Are All Over Town!”
I promise we’ll be chic and sophisticated for Christmas though :)
So happy to hear that someone else has the same candy corn problem as me! I bought a bag on Saturday and after making myself sick three days in a row, threw the half empty bag away yesterday. How can something so good make you feel so bad???!!!! The sad thing is…I can’t promise I won’t by another bag before halloween and repeat the same mistake.
I can’t quite tell – what is in the frame all the way on the right above the console table in the foyer? Is that plat for your property?
Hey Lisa,
Yup, that’s actually a sketch of our house’s lot (which is a line drawing with funny descriptions on it like “house is old”). We love it!
xo,
s
I love your spooky halloween decorations! We did the white candlesticks with red dripping wax this year like you guys had up last October. Side note: I found this super cute website and wanted you to check it out https://eismandesign.com/ the pillows are so adorable!
Frightening! (In a good way.)
You guys should try candy corn paired with peanuts. The chewy sweet with the crunchy salty is absolute heaven! It’s my favorite fall indulgence.
I am a huge loser & I have a Halloween village! But I don’t care-its fun. Our twins b-day is in November & they get a Halloween costume party instead of a boring old b-day party! I can’t wait to post about it! I love your spooky decor by the way!
I <3 candy corn but definitely in small doses, like when perching one atop the icing of halloweeny cupcakes. In fact, to avoid eating my candy corn this year so that I could save it for that purpose, I completely obliterated the chocolate I bought two weeks ago for the trick-or-treaters. Maybe next year I'll buy it on the 31st to save some $$ and some lbs :).
I’m jealous. We typically start decorating for Halloween the day or weekend after Labor Day. And we go all out, not always pretty and Martha-esque the way you all do–totally creepy and gross and black skulls and whatnot. We’re total Halloween fiends. Unfortunately we’re trying to move and didn’t see the point of decorating now and then again taking down and decorating in the new place. So very sad.
-K
If you are a candy corn loving people…you MUST try Carmel Apple Candy Corn…of course the same rule applies, but it is DELICIOUS!
What is the picture framed all the way to the right? It looks like the Vitruvian Man?
Hey Johnna,
That’s actually a sketch of our house’s lot (which is a line drawing with funny descriptions on it like “house is old”). We love it!
xo,
s
No candy corn here. I’ve never liked it…which is a good thing as I have enough seasonal and everyday vices, thankyouverymuch ;o) I buy candy that won’t tempt me so I avoid the pre-Halloween “sampling”.
I have a few Halloween items that I put out every year. Some lanterns, black glittered branches, pumpkins and candles. Nothing too complicated since I’m usually busy trying to make/find costumes for my three children.
Love it! I don’t know how you eat the candy corn. It’s so sweet it hurts my teeth!
Love the hallow-eyed photo… hilarious.
Quick question for you. Beings your house is on the market do you show it with all the seasonal decorations up?? I guess for some seasons like spring it wouldn’t be bad, but just curious how you handle it with Halloween because it’s kind of specific. And I guess Christmas would be too if you decorate at all for that. Would love to hear your thoughts on showing a house around the holidays.
We actually plan to de-Halloween things a bit for our showings (so the dining table will probably stay as is but the coffee table and console table might get a bit less decorated).
xo,
s
Looks great! I noticed you leave out candy or nuts sometimes in your decor… any ants? I could never leave anything out. Also, what is Clara going to be for her first Halloween?
Hey Jackie,
Nope, no ant problems thankfully so we can leave things out. As for Clara’s costume, we’ll share the pics so stay tuned…
xo,
s